The National Statistics Office (Field Operations Division), Regional Office Shillong, under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), celebrated the 20th National Statistics Day at Shillong College Auditorium on Monday to commemorate the birth anniversary of Prof. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, regarded as the Father of the Indian Statistical System.
The programme, organised around the theme “Unlocking the Potential of Administrative Data,” highlighted the growing importance of administrative data in strengthening evidence-based policymaking, governance and public service delivery.
In her inaugural address, Smti E.N. Dkhar, Vice Principal and Head of the Department of Physics, Shillong College, highlighted the significance of Statistics Day and the enduring contributions of Prof. P.C. Mahalanobis. She encouraged students to actively participate in the deliberations and appreciate the role of statistics in addressing real-world challenges.
Delivering the keynote address, Shri Monojit Das, Deputy Director General, NSO (FOD), Shillong, emphasised that administrative data generated through routine governance has become the backbone of evidence-based policymaking. He stressed the need for integrating datasets across departments while ensuring robust legal safeguards, ethical standards and protection of individual privacy.
The Chief Guest, Prof. Bishal Gurung, Head of the Department of Statistics, North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), spoke on the importance of administrative data in research, governance and development. He highlighted the growing relevance of statistics in science and public policy and advocated introducing Statistics as a separate subject at the school level to strengthen statistical literacy.
A presentation on administrative data harmonisation initiatives in Meghalaya was delivered by Shri Jerrymaya Lyngdoh, Statistical Officer, Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of Meghalaya, who highlighted the State’s efforts to standardise administrative datasets in line with MoSPI guidelines. Shri O. Patton, Deputy Director, NSO (FOD), Shillong, also made a presentation on the National Sample Survey and its contribution to the country’s official statistical system, besides highlighting career opportunities in the field of Statistics.
An extempore speech competition on the importance of data and statistics was also organised. Hundaka Leoza Hinge of St. Anthony’s College won the competition, while Shirinmi Athary of St. Anthony’s College and Wanrisuk K.R. Lyngdoh of Shillong College secured the first and second runner-up positions, respectively.
The programme was attended by officials from the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of Meghalaya, faculty members and students from Shillong College, St. Anthony’s College and other educational institutions.
